Chapter 276 - 268: Not as Good as Yours
Chapter 276: Chapter 268: Not as Good as Yours
"Reluctant to leave? That can’t be right. He used to go on and on about wanting to return to the Capital City. In his two years here in Qingyuan Town, I’ve never seen him truly happy. Now that he finally has the chance to go back, you’re telling me he’s reluctant?"
Boss Chen looked utterly incredulous. But then he saw Jin Xiao’an’s gaze fall upon Bai Zhi, and he had a sudden realization.
It’s an age-old saying: even heroes have a weakness for beautiful women. This Bai Zhi, though young, was exceptionally beautiful. And she was special—so special that words like ’clever’ and ’bright’ couldn’t begin to describe it.
A young master from a great family like Meng Nan must have seen countless prim and artificial noble ladies in the Capital City. He had probably never met a girl as unique and genuine as Bai Zhi before. It was no wonder he paid her so much special attention.
Boss Chen lowered his voice. "If your young master truly likes Miss Bai, he could simply take her back to the Capital City with him. Why should he agonize over it?"
Jin Xiao’an shook his head. "Please, don’t you dare mention that in front of my master. It’s not that he doesn’t want to take Miss Bai back to the capital—he desperately does. But Miss Bai refuses."
Boss Chen was baffled. "Refuses? Why would she refuse? It’s a golden opportunity! A chance to leave a backwater place like Huangtuo Village and enjoy a life of wealth and luxury in the Capital City. That’s the dream of countless girls, and she’s turning it down?"
Jin Xiao’an nodded. "Tell me about it. I don’t understand what Miss Bai is thinking either. She says she prefers the peace and freedom of a mountain village to all the splendor and riches the Capital City has to offer. I really can’t figure out what goes on in that little head of hers."
Suddenly, Boss Chen felt he was beginning to understand. Bai Zhi wasn’t like the ordinary girls they were used to seeing. If she were, he wouldn’t have overheard what she’d said to the chefs in the kitchen earlier today—simple, unadorned words that held profound truths about life.
It was this very uniqueness that had captured Meng Nan’s attention. And because she was so unique, how could she possibly be like any other girl, chasing after vanity and status?
Her uniqueness was the very source of Meng Nan’s current conflict and frustration.
The two returned to their seats. To ease the slightly awkward atmosphere, Boss Chen was just about to propose a toast, wishing Lord Meng a safe journey tomorrow.
Before he could even get the words out, he saw Bai Zhi pick up a piece of steamed pork with rice flour and place it in the dish in front of Hu Feng. "Don’t you love this? Hurry and try it!"
Hu Feng raised an eyebrow. ’Since when do I like this?’ He rarely touched such greasy dishes.
He glanced sideways at her and saw her give him a quick wink. He understood immediately. ’This girl,’ he thought, ’is trying to use me as a shield to make Meng Nan give up on her for good.’
He picked up the piece of steamed pork from his plate and took a bite. The pork belly was rich but not greasy, and the rice flour was fragrant and tender. It was a decent dish.
He took only a single bite before placing the rest back on his dish. "Not as good as the kind you make." His voice was quiet, yet clear enough for everyone at the table to hear perfectly.
Meng Nan said nothing. He raised his cup, drained the wine, and reached for the jug to pour another.
Jin Xiao’an caught his hand. "Sir, please drink less. You have official duties to attend to this afternoon."
At the mention of his duties, Meng Nan sighed inwardly. ’That’s right, official duties this afternoon.’ Even though he was a young master of the Meng Family, he didn’t even have the right to decide to have a few more drinks when he wanted one.
Boss Chen, ever the sycophant, hurriedly picked up a potato pancake and placed it on the dish in front of Meng Nan. He smiled and said, "This was made by our Diner Inn’s head chef. Give it a try. How does it stack up to Miss Bai’s cooking?"